civility

[ si-vil-i-tee ]

/ sɪˈvɪl ɪ ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR civility ON THESAURUS.COM

noun, plural ci·vil·i·ties.

courtesy; politeness.

a polite action or expression: an exchange of civilities.

Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.

Nearby words

civilian, civilian clothes, civilian conservation corps, civilian review board, civilianize, civility, civilization, civilize, civilized, civilly, civils

Origin of civility

1350–1400; Middle English civilite < Middle French < Latin cīvīlitāt- (stem of cīvīlitās) courtesy. See civil, -ity

SYNONYMS FOR civility

1 affability, amiability, manners, tact.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR civility ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

o·ver·ci·vil·i·ty, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for civility

Indeed, they view us as children who can never adhere to the standards of civility and decency to which they hold other groups.
Dear White People: Well-Meaning Paternalism Is Still Racist|Chloé Valdary|December 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
We should expect the default to be civility, not harassment.
Hey, Creeps, ‘Compliments’ Are Harassment, Too|Tauriq Moosa|November 5, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Its civility has been crushed; its fragile peace has been blown apart by the mindless toxicity of a summer of violence.
The Gaza War Has Left Jerusalem More Divided Than Ever|Peter Schwartzstein|August 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Soon, however, the mask of civility was removed, revealing the ugly face of bigotry.
When Bigotry Comes to Your Hometown|Dean Obeidallah|July 11, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Civility and canny bipartisanship in Congress were the key factors.
How a Dream Became a Law: Passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964|Wendy Smith|March 31, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He found that gentleman in a quiet and respectable lodging, and was received with civility.
Half a Hero|Anthony Hope
A cold, far-away sort of civility, are the only terms on which I have ever been with Mr. ——.
Charlotte Bront|T. Wemyss Reid
The words were not insolent, but the tone had a ring in it that betokened no civility.
Johnny Ludlow, Fourth Series|Mrs. Henry Wood
I made myself useful, and assisted several ladies to ices, remembering an old saying that “There is nothing lost by civility.”
The Diary of a Nobody|George Grossmith
Nothing costs less or is cheaper than compliments 10 of civility.
Dictionary of Quotations from Ancient and Modern, English and Foreign Sources|James Wood

British Dictionary definitions for civility

civility

/ (sɪˈvɪlɪtɪ) /

noun plural -ties

politeness or courtesy, esp when formal

(often plural) an act of politeness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012